Beofeng Radios One Common Problem Easy Solution to Perform
I wasn’t going to bother with writing this for may reasons. If this helps anyone then it was worth it. A common problem with several models of the Beofeng Radios is with regard to the audio. Your audio as others perceive it. You have probably been told that you sound LOW, or muffled like you are talking through a tissue box.
Yes the Beofeng Radios are Inexpensive Chinese Radios
There is no argument here that the Beofeng radios are cheap radios. There is also no argument that you get what you pay for. However the radios are still an inexpensive way to enter the Ham Radio hobby. Some online posts just state that the radio and external speaker microphone are just poor electronic design. I read one post suggesting that the speaker microphones LED be cut to allow more power to the microphones circuit. I have tested many of the online fixes and they are not necessary, nor do they provide any significant improvement.
Beofeng Radios Drilling the small microphone hole
Drilling the small microphone hole by itself does not cause any significant improvement as stated by many radio operators who have tried and posted this method. I completely agree with this. There may be some small improvement but nothing significant.
Why Why Why you say ?
It’s really quite simple. The hole is in the WRONG place. The hole aligns to a covered edge of the microphone crystal.
What is the easy solution?
Here is why I didn’t want to write this post. I am sure there will be opposition to this solution from electronic experts who want to insist the circuitry and microphone crystal are inferior. I agree that the design and components are not the best, but lets use some common sense.
If you take any microphone crystal, even the best available and cover it your result will be low or muffled sound. That is exactly what is happening with the Beofeng Radios and especially the external Speaker Microphone.
Beofeng Radios Step by Step Easy Speaker Microphone Modification
- Unscrew the three Philips head screws on the back of the speaker microphone
- Carefully separate the front and back of the case. The PTT lever may fall out but it is easy to reposition when putting everything back together.
- Move the circuit board slightly aside and gently remove the microphone crystal from the holder. You should be able to do this by GENTLY pulling on the black and red wires while rocking the crystal slightly. (Take note to where the wires connect in case you need to re-solder them)
- With everything out of the way note the circle in the center of the holder
- Take a SMALL drill bit like 1/16 and make a starter hole from the inside of the microphone in the CENTER of the crystal holder.
- Take a 3/16 inch drill bit and drill out the hole
- Clean up any debris left from drilling
- Slide the rubber grommet off the microphone crystal
- Remove the black Wind/Dust Screen from the mike crystal (Do not get ant debris in the hole.)
- Replace the rubber grommet.
- Put the microphone crystal back into the holder and make sure it is pushed down all the way.
- Align the circuit board so that the cutouts by the screws and the LED are in the correct position
- Place the PTT lever in place, also make sure the cable restraint is in place
- Close the two halves, make sure everything is aligned, make sure the PTT lever moves freely and the led is through the hole.
- Replace the three Philips head screws. You are done ! Time to test, but remember its still a poor excuse for a microphone. You need to talk where the new hole is drilled. It is NOT sensitive.
- Be happy when everyone says you sound much better today !
After modification Notes
Even after the modification it is REALLY important to note the following:
- The Speaker Microphone is poorly designed
- The Speaker is in the Center and the Microphone is in the upper right corner
- Even after the mod, you need to talk to the upper right corner of the speaker microphone (Where you will ne making a new hole)
- The handheld radio itself is similar in that the microphone is NOT the speaker, you need to talk into the area where the microphone is located. (Small hole above the A/B Switch on most Beofeng Radios)
- I don’t recommend taking the Radio apart, just fix the external Microphone it is easy.
- The microphone still needs to be almost against your mouth and you need to talk into the hole, but sounds much better. (Yes its a poor excuse for a Microphone)
On a Final Note
There are surely better radios out there. This mod was done on an AR-5RM’s microphone and did improve the audio clarity and volume. My call sign is KD3AAT and I hope to hear you out there loud and clear.
If you like to hack radios and other fun stuff check out my DIY Ghost Radio Hack. Be sure to check out the Beofeng Radios on the Amazon Website and thanks for stopping by. Threes !
